D23: The Official Community for Disney Fans today announced complete details for three incredible holiday events this December. D23 Members will get a chance to deck the halls and experience the wonder of the season like never before through incredible offerings at the Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts as well as a very special “Disney and Dickens” event celebrating Christmases past and present in Hollywood.
“The winter wonderland season at a Disney Park is unlike any other and this December we are offering D23 Members a chance to experience some of our most heartfelt holiday traditions like never before,” said Steven Clark, head of D23. “All three of these events are sure to create lasting magical memories and I couldn’t be more excited to cap off this incredible year of D23 with our Charter Year Members.”
HOLIDAY 2009 D23 CHARTER MEMBER-ONLY SPECIAL EVENTS:
December 6, 2009 D23’s Candlelight Spectacular at Disneyland
For more than 50 years, Disneyland’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony has heralded in the Christmas season at “The Merriest Place on Earth.” This year’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony serves as the centerpiece of D23’s first holiday season celebration during a magical day of festivities created exclusively for D23 Members and their guests. This can’t-miss event begins with a day enjoying the holiday splendor of Disneyland including reserved seating at Disneyland’s A Christmas Fantasy Parade. When night falls, D23 Members and their guests will gather inside Stage 17 at Disney’s California Adventure where a winter wonderland awaits with a sumptuous private dinner prepared by Disneyland’s Executive Chef—with a special show starring some of Disney’s most beloved characters donning their holiday best. Later that evening, D23 Members and their guests will be escorted to reserved seating for this year’s Candlelight Processional and Ceremony, a breathtaking retelling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, the Disneyland Orchestra and the Disney Employee Choir. Following the Candlelight Processional and Ceremony, the party returns to Stage 17 where everyone will enjoy a sweet treat and a special “behind-the-candles” look at the history of holiday traditions at Disneyland, as well as the special care and work that goes into making the parks look their best for the season. Add in some D23 magic, and this is sure to be an once-in-a-lifetime experience!
December 10, 2009 D23’s Disney and Dickens
Join Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and fellow D23 Members for an evening of Dickensian delights at the historic El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood to experience the new Robert Zemeckis film Disney’s A Christmas Carol, starring Jim Carey, Bob Hoskins and an all-star cast in this new retelling of Charles Dickens’ timeless holiday favorite. After the movie, guests will head to a holiday feast at the legendary Tam O’Shanter restaurant in Los Angeles—a frequent hang out of Walt Disney and his animators. D23 Members will have the opportunity to see Walt’s table, take a look at the wonderful artwork created by Disney animators for the Tam, and be entertained by Dickens Carolers, as well as an ensemble from the Disney Employee Choir, who will sing their favorite Disney Christmas songs.
December 12 & 13, 2009 D23’s Magic & Merriment
For two days at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, D23 Members will have the opportunity to experience the holiday season as never before. The jolly happenings begin Saturday morning, December 12 inside the D23 Member Lounge in Epcot. D23 Members will get their first behind-the-scenes look at the holiday magic Disney creates including a glimpse at how the Resort transforms seemingly overnight from Florida paradise to winter wonderland. After a day enjoying the park, D23 Members will reconvene at the America Gardens Theatre to enjoy the perennial Christmas favorite, Candlelight Processional, narrated by the incomparable Vanessa Williams. Following the show, D23 Members will head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a holiday feast on the set of Lights! Motors! Action! And after the park closes, D23 Members will enjoy one more signature ride before heading to the Streets of America for a private viewing of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights hosted by two of Walt Disney World’s top creative minds. Sunday takes D23 Members to the Magic Kingdom for a full day of holiday delights. The fun includes a private luncheon inside the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, and a once-in-a-lifetime private tour of the Cinderella Dream Suite inside Cinderella Castle. That night, the festivities continue with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which includes a private hospitality area with holiday treats. Add in reserved seating for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade and a good helping of pixie dust and D23 Members will have a winter wonderland weekend to remember.
To find out more about D23’s Holiday 2009 Special Events Calendar, including admissions and how to register for events, visit http://www.disney.com/D23 and click on the “Expo & Events” tab. All D23 Special Events are subject to change without notice, have varying admission fees and registration processes, and may require advance reservations due to space limitations.
Finally, check out this video of the D23 Expo just released from Disney Living, the Disney Consumer Products division’s web show.